President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. visited Converge ICT Solutions Inc.’s state-of-the-art Angeles Data Center in Pampanga on Friday, July 24, alongside Department of Information and Communications Technology officials led by Secretary Henry Aguda, to highlight the country’s push for greater control over its digital information. The trip comes after the recent issuance of Executive Order No. 119, which updates long-standing regulations for government digital transactions, sets unified standards for data classification, residency and cross-border transfers, and aims to strengthen cybersecurity as public agencies modernize their systems.
“By establishing our own sovereign data center, cloud and AI infrastructure, we are safeguarding our nation’s data, bridging our islands, and ensuring the Philippines is ready for the AI era,” President Marcos said during the inspection. Converge’s 12-megawatt facility, certified Uptime Tier III and equipped to support artificial intelligence operations, will serve as a government-ready sovereign cloud hub, allowing agencies to shift away from foreign-hosted servers toward secure, domestically managed infrastructure. This setup keeps critical public records within Philippine legal jurisdiction, lowers exposure to cyber threats, and maintains stable services even if international internet links are disrupted.
Converge chief executive officer Dennis Anthony Uy noted that the new executive order is a landmark step for the country’s digital foundations, adding that the company built its national network and data facilities to meet the strict requirements of sectors where data security is critical. He commended the President for advancing the policy, saying it will secure long-term digital progress and draw more investment into the local data center industry. DICT Secretary Aguda emphasized that protecting official data must go hand in hand with welcoming innovation, cloud technology and responsible international digital partnerships. Uy also confirmed that Converge will keep upgrading its facilities to handle advanced AI workloads, supporting both public sector needs and the country’s broader digital economic growth.
